The best way to help the poor is to create more jobs so they can help themselves.

Do you think that the idea of almsgiving, helping the poor, etc. has no ethical or moral implications?

 

Simply being poor doesn't do it for me. I have no problems with helping someone get back on their feet. But I don't feel I have an ethical or moral obligation to help someone just because they are poor.

 

Here are a couple of examples. There are plenty of crackheads who are poor, I don't feel an obligation to help them, because they are most likely going to continue to use crack, the only thing I believe we should do is make it safer for them to obtain and use the drug.

 

Plenty of people are poor because they make bad decisions and can't keep a job, I do not feel a moral or ethical obligation to help them.

I am for the CCC camps once more!

I am for the CCC camps once more!

That's how Ludlow and some other Northern Kentucky schools got their football stadiums.

 

We could always send them to New Orleans with wheel barrows and shovels to rebuild the levies.

Do you think that the idea of almsgiving, helping the poor, etc. has no ethical or moral implications?

 

I don't believe those that do those things are morally or ethically better than those that do not...

That's how Ludlow and some other Northern Kentucky schools got their football stadiums.

 

We could always send them to New Orleans with wheel barrows and shovels to rebuild the levies.

 

I agree! We (as an american people) have forgotten how to work hard, instead we( the american people) believe that we are entitled to things, such as a house, car, t.v. when their is nothing garenteed (sp)

 

I think that one way to correct this attitude and appreciation for such things; as an education, is make life once more brutal. However, we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, therefore, we would never allow this to come to pass, without turning to some alternative solution such as socialism. This is where I think we are in today's society.

 

People are looking for a handout instead of a hand up, I say cut it all, start programs like the CCC and really work on the infrastructor (sp) of the U.S., then let us rethink what is really important in our country use money to work towards that goal.

 

Also, while I am at it, make it an admenment to the constitution that a senitor can only serve 2 terms (12 years) and Congress can only serve 6 terms (12 years) take away the lobbying.

I don't believe those that do those things are morally or ethically better than those that do not...

Is helping the poor moral, immoral, or amoral? I am unclear as to what you are saying. Jesus did say to help the poor.

Is helping the poor moral, immoral, or amoral? I am unclear as to what you are saying. Jesus did say to help the poor.

 

All I'm saying is that I don't think whether you do or don't help the poor makes much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

 

I do give to the poor, when I'm able to, but I don't feel anyone is morally obligated to do so...

Is helping the poor moral, immoral, or amoral? I am unclear as to what you are saying. Jesus did say to help the poor.

 

Like I've said before the poor as a whole aren't a group that I feel I should help. There are certain segments of the population I feel we are obligated to help (children for instance), but just because someone is poor doesn't do it for me. And as you already know, Jesus saying it, doesn't do much for me.

Is there scripture that defines "poor"? I'm thinking that the poor talked about in scripture MAY differ from many of the "poor" our tax dollars help today.

 

Yes, I do believe we have a moral obligation to help the poor and it is something I do regularly. My definition of poor may differ from yours though. My definition of help may also differ. If our neighbors are deserving of a helping hand, we should be reaching out to them.

 

Some examples are those who are poor in family, such as widows and orphans (Exod. 22:22). Others are poor in wealth, such as the low-wage workers (Deut. 24:14) and prisoners (Heb. 13:3). They are devoid of food, shelter, and clothing. Still others are poor in health. This can be the elderly (1 Tim. 5:9), the disabled (John 5:3), or the sick (Matt. 25:36).

 

Our Lord says that we will always have the poor with us, we should not be complacent because the problem is interminable (see Mark 14:7; Deut. 15:11). Instead, it should lead us to compassion. Poverty was not to be tolerated or encouraged in Scripture but abolished (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 26:12).

 

It’s impossible to make sure that every dime we give to help the poor is used responsibly. However, this does not excuse us from being good stewards of what God has given us, or from caring for others in how we give. While being cautious with the resources God has given us is good, we must help those in need and not be tight-fisted. Jesus said, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matt. 5:42).

Like I've said before the poor as a whole aren't a group that I feel I should help. There are certain segments of the population I feel we are obligated to help (children for instance), but just because someone is poor doesn't do it for me. And as you already know, Jesus saying it, doesn't do much for me.

I know Jesus saying it doesn't do much for you, but I wasn't trying to trap you, I was trying to trap UKMustang :lol:

 

I guess I just wanted to see what people thought. Personally, the day that I became a believer in the free market was the day that I came to believe that welfare programs hurt the poor in the long run.

 

And everyone is certainly right that there needs to be a distinction among the poor.

My family does feel an obligation especially when children are involved. Has anyone on this site ever gone to bed hungry as a child?

Some examples are those who are poor in family, such as widows and orphans (Exod. 22:22). Others are poor in wealth, such as the low-wage workers (Deut. 24:14) and prisoners (Heb. 13:3). They are devoid of food, shelter, and clothing. Still others are poor in health. This can be the elderly (1 Tim. 5:9), the disabled (John 5:3), or the sick (Matt. 25:36).

 

Our Lord says that we will always have the poor with us, we should not be complacent because the problem is interminable (see Mark 14:7; Deut. 15:11). Instead, it should lead us to compassion. Poverty was not to be tolerated or encouraged in Scripture but abolished (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 26:12).

 

It’s impossible to make sure that every dime we give to help the poor is used responsibly. However, this does not excuse us from being good stewards of what God has given us, or from caring for others in how we give. While being cautious with the resources God has given us is good, we must help those in need and not be tight-fisted. Jesus said, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matt. 5:42).

 

Thank You. :thumb:

I've been thinking alot about how to answer this question, even though it was a no-brainer for me to vote yes, and I did right away.

 

My explanation is this:

 

I don't know the circumstances of everyone's life. I don't know what happened to put someone in a compromising position, and I don't know what lies in store in their future. What I know is that now they need help. I hear every day that homeless people should get a job. Many are seemingly able bodied, and lucid enough to ask for money, cigarettes or food. But, in my experience, get them into a conversation beyond that and there are crippling issues at work, either mentally or emotionally. You can't see those things on the surface.

 

If I can help with money, I do. But too many people think that money is what "helping the poor" is all about. If you can watch a single mother's kids so she can work one night. That's helping. If you can put .50 in a homeless person's hand, that can be helping. Buying them a burger would be better, but not always practical at that moment. If you can pass down baby clothes to a needy new mom, that's helping. If you can mow your elderly or disabled neighbor's lawn, that's helping. If you can tutor a struggling kid in math, that's helping.

 

Poor doesn't necessarily mean without money. It's the less fortunate we assist. Many "poor" people are actually quite good at managing money, and are also quite willing to help others. But usually the help isn't as much monetary as assistance in other areas.

 

I feel it is my moral obligation. And, it goes beyond just giving, but in assisting. Helping doesn't have to mean enabling. But the first step in any case is to put aside one's judgement of the individual, and address the circumstances without blame.

Help people. Simple as that.